Employment

People with Down syndrome have the right to work and are entitled to support to find and keep a job.

Families can play a vital role in helping their family member find employment and help them get the support they may need.

The NDIS, Disability Employment Services, Open Employment Services and independent employers all have a vital role to play as well.

Before you start looking for a job, you need to think about a few things first, such as:

Why you want to work

What kind of work would you like to do

How to get ready for a job and who can help

How to find a job

Down Syndrome NSW has access to a range of resources to help people with Down syndrome and their families understand how to prepare for being job-ready and how to make the most out of employment opportunities.

School Leaver Employment Support, or SLES, is a new NDIS support for Year 12 students..

SLES is about giving you the skills and confidence to help you move from school to employment. It offers you individualised support for up to 2 years after finishing year 12 to help you get ready for work and plan your pathway to employment.

SLES and Education

The NDIA works with Education to support students with disability to make a smooth transition into SLES or other employment supports. The NDIS will be responsible for funding supports that assist people with disability prepare for, and take part in work where the person has work capacity but needs some more support before receiving ongoing employment support through existing systems.

Employment services and programs, including both disability-targeted and open employment services, will continue to be responsible for providing advice and support to:

People with disability to prepare for, find and maintain jobs;

Encourage employers to hire and be inclusive of people with disability in the workplace (e.g. support, training and resources, funding assistance to help employers make reasonable adjustments, and incentives for hiring people with disability , such as wage subsidies).